Community-Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (CA-MRSA) Impetigo Successfully Treated with Oral Rifampicin in a Rural Kenyan Hospital

Abstract: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics (and other drug classes) through altered penicillin-binding proteins that maintain cell wall synthesis despite antimicrobial pressure. MRSA can be hospital-associated (HA-MRSA) or community-associated (CA-MRSA). The major risk factors for MRSA infection in Africa include hospitalization, prior antibiotic use, diabetes, invasive procedures, intravenous drug use, and HIV infection. The prevalence of CA-MRSA is widely variable and stands at about 26.7% in the US, predominantly among younger patients with skin infections. In Kenya, the prevalence is 1.8% according to limited data. The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) recommends using clindamycin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, tetracycline, and linezolid for skin and soft tissue infections caused by CA-MRSA and discourages the use of rifampicin in this context. However, we report on the case of a young Kenyan woman in a rural setting whom we successfully treated for CA-MRSA impetigo with oral rifampicin monotherapy after ruling out active tuberculosis infection prior to treatment. She had failed treatment with all the other IDSA-recommended antibiotics. Keywords: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA, community-associated MRSA, CA-MRSA, hospital-associated (HA-MRSA), Kenya. Title: Community-Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (CA-MRSA) Impetigo Successfully Treated with Oral Rifampicin in a Rural Kenyan Hospital Author: Onyango C. Vonwicks, Auma Nicholas, Mutiso Boniface, Mutuma M. Nicholas, Malalu P. Collins, Fryda C. William International Journal of Novel Research in Healthcare and Nursing ISSN 2394-7330 Vol. 13, Issue 1, January 2026 - April 2026 Page No: 52-56 Novelty Journals Website: www.noveltyjournals.com Published Date: 28-February-2026 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18814071 Paper Download Link (Source) https://www.noveltyjournals.com/upload/paper/Community-Associated%20Methicillin-Resistant-28022026-3.pdf